New Scientist’s journalist and film makers arrived on location to hear from the Partnership’s experts about the fantastic data that is being collected and to capture the Evenlode’s story. Mark Purvis set the scene, outlining the poor state the Evenlode is in. He pointed out that this is likely to be mainly due to the lack of phosphate stripping and pollution from raw sewage. This point was emphasised by a site visit to the sewage treatment works and interviews at other site locations. The New Scientist Team were also shown the Sonde equipment and the water quality data it has collected. Following Interviews were carried out throughout the day, at various sites. 

Everyone did brilliantly, particularly as we weren’t expecting a film crew! A huge thank you to everyone involved and to those that allowed the day to go ahead on private land. Thank you too, to the people behind the scenes that couldn’t make the actual day.

Thank You

Finally, special thanks to our very own Ann Berkeley for making this possible and providing sustenance for us all.

Interviews

• Mark Purvis, (fisherman): water quality, state of the Evenlode, sewage treatment works, lack of phosphate stripping and raw sewage
• John Pratt, (fisherman): water quality, riverfly sampling, Citizen science (catchment champions), significant deterioration downstream of the sewage treatment works outfall.
• Charlotte Henderson, (Earthwatch theme lead): water quality, water quality data analysis, and catchment champions
• Helena Soteriou, (Thames Water, Catchment Initiatives Programme Manager): Smarter catchments and their role in reducing pollution
• Matt Childs, (Bruern Farm Manager): water quality and farming, diffuse pollution, incentives for farmers
• Jo Old, (Environmental Agency, Evenlode Catchment Coordinator): diffuse pollution, change of land use and nutrient trapping

You can learn more about the Evenlode Catchment Partnership here

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